Stories

A crazy take on the accounting talent pipeline crisis

Published on22 April 2026

The accounting talent pipeline has become one of the most discussed challenges in the profession. But as firms rethink growth and capacity, a deeper question is emerging.

For years, the narrative has focused on a shortage of talent. But what if the issue is not just supply, but how firms are structured to use it?

Recently, Drew Carrick shared a perspective in Accounting Today that challenges the conventional thinking. Instead of focusing solely on supply, he explores whether capacity constraints, operating models, and inefficiencies are playing an equally important role.

Read Drew Carrick’s full perspective on the accounting talent pipeline crisis.

A crazy take on the talent pipeline crisis

A few ideas that stand out:

• Capacity is often constrained by structure, not headcount
• Firms may be underutilizing existing talent
• Operating model decisions directly impact scalability and growth

As firms navigate SQMS and QC 1000, these questions become even more relevant. Quality management, monitoring, and talent are no longer separate conversations, they are tightly connected.

See how CPAClub helps firms rethink capacity, quality, and operating models.

Accounting Firm Solutions

About CPAClub

CPAClub helps firms move forward. Through our award-winning subscription model, firms gain flexible access to experienced accounting and advisory professionals and technology applications that help expand capacity, strengthen audit quality, navigate regulatory change, support modern professional development, and drive transformation.

Founded and led by one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting and CPA Practice Advisor’s 20 Under 40 Top Influencers, CPAClub has been recognized as the CalCPA Firm of the Year and a Top New Product by Accounting Today. Learn more at cpaclub.cpa.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest thought leadership posts to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy.
Share This Post

Related Articles

Interviews
What will it take to kill the billable hour? Chris Vanover, founder of CPAClub, believes it’s not only “outdated and archaic,” but that today’s age of AI and automation “is a recipe for the death of the billable hour.” CPAClub operates under a different model. As Vanover explained, CPAClub operates as a subscription service, where passholders have access on a monthly or annual basis to...
What does it take to build an audit firm that can keep improving as expectations change? Drew Carrick and Chris Vanover are joined by Brendan Whalen, an audit partner at S.R. Snodgrass and a member of the PCAOB’s Inspections Modernization Council. Brendan talks about how firm culture shows up in everyday decisions, why developing the...
Interviews
Orange County’s largest accounting firms are continuing their hiring spree, with most of the county’s top companies adding to their headcount in 2022. The 48 largest firms on the Business Journal’s annual list of accounting firms reported an 11% increase in local hires to 6,676 employees. Last year, they reported a 9.6% rise after posting...

Expert audit, advisory, and regulatory support to enhance quality, increase efficiency, and strengthen compliance.

Scalable accounting, advisory, and CFO solutions to streamline operations, ensure compliance, and drive growth.

logo-calcpa
CalCPA Firm of the Year

Thank you to our passholders, crew, and allies. See why they trust us to lead the way.